A big announcement

Today, I am a professional sportswriter! SB Nation, a network of over 200 individual web sites dedicated to sports coverage, is launching it's Tampa Bay Regional franchise today and I am on the staff as a writer.

ABOUT SB NATION REGIONAL: "In June 2010, SB Nation is launching SB Nation Regional, the most ambitious and exciting sports media initiative of the year. With state-of-the-art StoryStream™ news delivery, opinion and analysis, feature columns and unique editorial franchises, these regional sites capture all that is relevant in regional sports. A daily must-read for fans of a particular sports market, these sites are poised to become the next local sports page. SB Nation Regionals will be launching in 20 cities during the month of June."

ABOUT SB NATION'S EDITORIAL PHILOSOPHY: "SB Nation was born through the passion of a frustrated sports fan who used to be a print reporter. He felt like no traditional media outlet was covering his team the way that he wanted, which was with a passionate, authoritative voice that would also remain true to a lot of the journalistic principles. In short, professional quality, fan perspective.

We firmly believe that sports objectivity is a myth. We've always been forthcoming about the fact that we're relentlessly passionate about the teams and sports we cover. Across the SB Nation network you'll find that our writers live and breathe sports 24/7/365.

We capture that passion and enable conversation about prevalent topics that fans care about. We've created strong communities that teem with intelligent conversation, and we remain passionate and emotionally invested along with our audience in the sports we cover. This network was created by fans for fans, and that remains core to our editorial principles."

More information about SB Nation is available here

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR ME: I get paid to write about the Rays (and Bucs and Lightning) in a world-wide networked forum and I don't have to pretend like I care about the delicate feelings of Yankee (or any other teams) fans.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THIS BLOG: In all likelihood, no more sports. From what I know about my audience, I don't think most of you will mind. Of course, there is a link to SB Nation Tampa Bay on this site if you want to read my sports stuff (or just more of me in general...hey, it could happen!)

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: There's a party tonight and you are invited! Check it out;

Hey Sports Fans -- SB Nation is buying the drinks!

Come celebrate the launch of SB Nation Tampa at the inaugural SB Nation Tampa Meet-up! Join your fellow Tampa sports fans for an evening of good company, great sports conversation and free stuff. Complimentary well drinks and discounted beer all evening (liquor courtesy of Crown Royal Black)!

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Tampa Bay Brewing Company
1600 E. 8th Ave. Tampa, FL 33605 (that's in Ybor City, FYI)

Food and drink specials, giveaways and great raffle prizes!

You can RSVP here, or just come on out.